Orlando Pirates legend Moeneeb Josephs has offered his perspective on why Rulani Mokwena might not be the best choice to succeed Jose Riveiro as the club’s head coach.
Earlier this month, the Buccaneers sent a shockwave through the football fraternity after announcing that Riveiro will step down from his head coaching role at the end of the current Betway Premiership season.
The Spanish coach arrived at Pirates in July 2022 to take over the hot seat, and he went on to win the hearts of many football lovers with his attractive, attacking brand of football.
The 49-year-old has guided the Soweto giants to three MTN8 trophies and two Nedbank Cup titles. Riveiro will leave big shoes to fill at Pirates, having built a formidable side that is challenging for major competition.
In what he has dubbed his ‘last dance’, the Spanish coach still has the opportunity to secure the CAF Champions League title with Pirates, who are in the semi-finals. Additionally, he aims to win the Nedbank Cup for an unprecedented third consecutive time, with a final showdown against their Soweto rivals, Kaizer Chiefs, on the horizon.
One of the names that have been thrown into the hat to take over from Riveiro is Rulani Mokwena, who is synonymous with the brand of Pirates.
The highly-rated mentor had a stint with Pirates between 2017 to 2019 as an assistant coach to Milutin Sredojević. After Micho left, Mokwena served as an interim coach before leaving the club a few months later. This was also after his loan stint at Chippa United.
‘WHY SHOULD WE WEAR OLD SHOES AGAIN? ‘- ASKS PIRATES LEGEND MOENEEB JOSEPHS
With Mokwena set to part ways with his club Wydad Casablanca at the end of the season, former Pirates legends and pundits have earmarked the 38-year-old to replace Riveiro.
However, former Bucs goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs says Mokwena will struggle to manage the Ghosts.
“If we’re looking to bring Rulani Mokwena back at Pirates, as good as he is, why should we wear old shoes again?” asked Josephs on Soccer Beat.
“From what I remember, when Mokwena was at Pirates, there were a whole lot of issues and tantrums, and our supporters were not too happy about that.
“It was boiling when he and Micho were there, the relationship they had, and the way he left, for me, that left a sour taste.”
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